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L.A. Deputies Sentenced for Beating Shackled Inmate
LOS ANGELES – Two Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies, Joey Aguiar, 28, and Mariano Ramirez, 40, were sentenced to prison terms today for their roles in a use-of-force incident against a shackled inmate, Bret Phillips.
On February 11, 2009, Aguiar and Ramirez were involved in an incident where they beat Phillips, who was waist-chained with handcuffs binding his hands to a chain around his stomach. During the trial, testimony revealed that Phillips was struck, kicked, repeatedly hit by a flashlight, and pepper-sprayed while he was on the ground.
Aguiar was convicted of falsifying reports to cover up the incident, stating that Phillips had attempted to headbutt him and violently kicked at him, which testimony proved to be false. Ramirez was also found guilty of falsifying reports to obstruct justice.
Chaplain Paulino Juarez, an eyewitness to the event, testified that he raised concerns with senior LASD officials, but was rebuffed. He ultimately relayed his concerns to the ACLU, which led to the FBI’s investigation into civil rights abuses by the LASD.
U.S. Attorney Eileen M. Decker stated, “These defendants attempted to cover up an unwarranted attack upon an inmate who was restrained with waist chains. The reprehensible conduct of these defendants in this case undermines the work of law enforcement everywhere, tarnishing the outstanding performance of the vast majority of officers.”
Judge Beverly Reid-O’Connell sentenced Aguiar to 18 months in prison and Ramirez to 13 months in prison, stating that they had engaged in excessive force against the shackled inmate.
This case is part of a larger investigation into corruption and civil rights abuses at county jail facilities in downtown Los Angeles, resulting in 18 convictions of current or former members of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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